Paddington-Woollahra RSL Sub-Branch

Paddington-Woollahra RSL Sub-Branch Welcome to the Paddington RSL Sub branch we support Current serving and Ex serving Members and families in the RSL Community.

yesterday Paddington RSL paused to remember Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG, who was killed in action on this day in 2013 i...
23/06/2026

yesterday Paddington RSL paused to remember Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG, who was killed in action on this day in 2013 in circumstances that would lead to his posthumous award of the Victoria Cross for Australia.

At the time of his death, Cam was serving with the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan and was posted to the 2nd Commando Regiment.

Cam's courage under fire had previously been recognised with the Medal for Gallantry, before his actions on 22 June 2013 would lead to the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross for Australia.

During a mission in Uruzgan Province, Cam repeatedly placed himself in danger to protect his mates and lead from the front. Despite intense enemy fire, he continued to clear insurgent-held buildings and engage enemy fighters. In a final act of courage, he entered a building alone to neutralise a threat to his patrol, where he was fatally wounded.

Cam was an outstanding Special Forces soldier. He exemplified what it meant to be a Commando, living by the attributes of uncompromising spirit and honour, earning the unconditional respect of his fellow Commandos. His leadership in action was exemplary, constantly inspiring those around him to achieve greater things.

Cam was an exceptionally dedicated and disciplined soldier who continually strived for excellence in everything he did.

He died as he lived — at the front, leading from the front, giving everything he had, without hesitation.

Cam will forever be remembered by his mates and the soldiers he served alongside in the 2nd Commando Regiment.

We honour his courage, leadership, and sacrifice.

We will remember him.
Lest we forget.

Today we remember Private Ben Chuck, Private Tim Aplin, and Private Scott Palmer, who were killed in a helicopter crash ...
20/06/2026

Today we remember Private Ben Chuck, Private Tim Aplin, and Private Scott Palmer, who were killed in a helicopter crash in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, on this day in 2010.

The three Commandos were among 10 Australians from the Special Operations Task Group aboard a coalition helicopter en route to an operation when it crashed in rugged terrain. The incident occurred just days after the Battle of Shah Wali Kot and, at the time, was Australia's deadliest single incident of the Afghanistan War.

Private Ben Chuck (27) enlisted in the Army in 2004 through the Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme. An outstanding Commando and Patrol Medic, Ben was known for his caring nature and dedication to his mates. This was his third deployment to Afghanistan. Ben left behind his parents, brother, sister, and partner.

Private Tim Aplin (38) enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1992 before transferring to the Regular Army in 1995, attaining the rank of Sergeant. After successfully completing Commando Selection, he joined 4 RAR (Commando) in 2009. A highly respected and dedicated soldier, Tim was serving as his team's demolitions specialist on his second deployment to Afghanistan. He had previously deployed to East Timor and the Middle East. Tim left behind his wife Natasha and family.

Private Scott Palmer (27) enlisted in the Australian Army in 2001 and joined 4 RAR (Commando) following successful completion of Commando Selection in 2006. This was his third deployment to Afghanistan, having previously served in East Timor and Iraq. Scott was known for his professionalism, dedication, and love of serving alongside his mates. He left behind his parents and family.

At a memorial service following their deaths, friends, families, and comrades reflected on the character, courage, and professionalism of three men who embodied the values of the Commando community. Their loss was deeply felt across the Regiment and the wider Australian Defence Force.

Our thoughts are with their families, friends, and mates today.

We will remember them.
Lest we forget.

RSL NSW
RSL Australia

Another great example of two of our own leading from the front in the community. Yesterday Warren and Jeremy two of our ...
20/06/2026

Another great example of two of our own leading from the front in the community. Yesterday Warren and Jeremy two of our sub branch members went out and engaged with local businesses to seek food donations to support homeless veterans.

It was a successful day being able to secure 800 dollars worth of food to feed homeless veterans who are in need at the ST Vincent De Paul homeless shelter Sydney. Paddington team in the community great work team.

RSL NSW
Australian Homeless Veterans
Soldier On Australia
RSL LifeCare

Raymond John Butterworth was born in London, England on 4 August 1949. He joined the Royal Australian Navy from Risdon V...
18/06/2026

Raymond John Butterworth was born in London, England on 4 August 1949. He joined the Royal Australian Navy from Risdon Vale, Tasmania, as a general entry sailor on 30 June 1967 undertaking his basic training at HMAS Cerberus.

In September 1967 he completed category training as an Ordinary Seaman Quartermaster Gunner and was subsequently posted to the guided missile destroyer HMAS Hobart in which he deployed to Vietnam during her second tour of duty in March 1968.

In the early hours of 17 June 1968 Hobart was part of a naval task unit operating in the vicinity of Tiger Island north of the demilitarized zone off the east coast of North Vietnam. An unidentified aircraft was detected approaching the ship from the vicinity of Cap Lay and although evaluated as a ‘friendly’ it continued to close, firing a missile that struck Hobart amidships on her starboard side. The warhead passed through the main deck, seriously damaging several compartments, while the body of the missile passed through the outer skin of the aft funnel before ending up embedding itself in the forward funnel. In its passage shrapnel from the disintegrating missile killed Ordinary Seaman Butterworth who was closed up as a lookout on the port side, at the aft end of the flagdeck above the bridge. Able Seaman JR Parker and Ordinary Seaman RF Davidson also suffered injuries.

As Hobart's crew raced to action stations a second and third missile hit the ship. The second missile entered the transom without detonating, destroying the gunner's store before breaking up in the engineer's workshop and penetrating the after seaman's mess. The third missile hit the ship in the same area as the first, passing through one of the ship's fan spaces, the missile director equipment room and Tartar checkout room. Chief Electrician R.H. Hunt was killed in this attack and several sailors injured.

The aircraft was seen to pass over the ship before turning again for what appeared to be a further attack run. At 8000 yards the crew of Hobart's forward gun engaged the aggressor, firing five rounds in local control, causing it to turn away before being lost to radar south of Tiger Island. As Hobart's damage control parties made their assessment USS Edson, which was operating in company with Hobart, reported that she too was coming under fire from air launched missiles. The force consequently cleared the area to the west with Hobart departing the operational area to effect repairs in Subic Bay, Philippines.

En route the ship's company began clearing away debris, finding and collecting pieces of the missiles which were later identified as being of US origin. It transpired that Hobart was one of several ships mistakenly attacked by US 7th Air Force jets on the nights of 16-17 June. Hobart subsequently arrived in Subic Bay on 19 June where her damaged was assessed. The destroyer had suffered serious damage to her weapons systems, electrical systems and hull. The Ikara missile magazine had also suffered heavy damage in the attack and it proved fortunate that it was empty at the time of the attack.

Ordinary Seaman Butterworth was buried at Cornelian Bay Public Cemetery, Hobart, Tasmania, and is memorialised on Panel 4 in the commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

We will remember him.

https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/654245




18/06/2026

🇦🇺 The spiritual and strategic home of Australia’s Army and Defence forces should not be ‘For Sale’.

The sale of the site is a disastrous decision and should be stopped.

To sell Victoria Barracks would be to trade nearly two centuries of sacrifice, service and national memory for a short-term financial gain. It will leave future generations poorer in ways that can never be measured in dollars.

I’m proud to stand beside colleagues from across the political spectrum to campaign against the sale.

16 June 1948: The Spark of the Malayan EmergencyOn this day in 1948, communist guerrillas from the Malayan National Libe...
16/06/2026

16 June 1948: The Spark of the Malayan Emergency

On this day in 1948, communist guerrillas from the Malayan National Liberation Army attacked rubber plantations in Perak, Malaya, murdering three British estate managers.

Two days later, the British colonial administration declared a State of Emergency. What followed was a long and brutal 12-year guerrilla war, fought through the dense jungles and plantations of the Malayan peninsula.

Australia’s involvement began in 1950, with Royal Australian Air Force transport and bomber squadrons deployed in support of operations. Royal Australian Navy vessels followed, and in 1955 Australian Army ground troops joined the campaign.

More than 7,000 Australians served during the Malayan Emergency before its official conclusion in 1960.

Thirty-nine Australians lost their lives on active service.

Today, we remember their service, their sacrifice, and the often-overlooked generation of Australians who served in the difficult conflicts of the post-war world.

📸: Malaya, 1961. Two soldiers from C COY, 1RAR. Sungei Rhui (River), North Malaya. Left to right, Jerry Shawcross, Malay national, Rick Esbaha.

*Lest We Forget.*

This week marks the 16th anniversary of the Battle of Shah Wali Kot, fought from 10 to 14 June 2010 in the Kandahar Prov...
12/06/2026

This week marks the 16th anniversary of the Battle of Shah Wali Kot, fought from 10 to 14 June 2010 in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan.

On 10 June 2010, Australian commandos began a large-scale disruption operation in the Shinazef Valley, an enemy stronghold in the Shah Wali Kot district of northern Kandahar. SAS troops on standby were called in when high-value targets were located in the area.

The battle was one of the most significant operations of Australia's engagement in Afghanistan. Behind every soldier who served were families at home carrying the weight of that deployment. Partners, parents and children who lived with the uncertainty, the distance, and in some cases, the grief that followed.

We honour all who served, and we hold their families in our thoughts this week.

Lest we forget.

RSL NSW
RSL Australia
Defence Australia






Well done to our team Paddington RSL self funding and raising money for the Royal Flying doctor service RSL NSW
09/06/2026

Well done to our team Paddington RSL self funding and raising money for the Royal Flying doctor service

RSL NSW

Today we remember Sapper Rowan Robinson, who was killed during operations in Afghanistan in 2011.Twenty-three-year-old S...
08/06/2026

Today we remember Sapper Rowan Robinson, who was killed during operations in Afghanistan in 2011.

Twenty-three-year-old Sapper Robinson was serving with the Special Operations Task Group when he was tragically killed in action on 6 June 2011.

Rowan was born in Wahroonga, New South Wales, and left behind his loving mother, father, sister, and two brothers.

He joined the Australian Army in 2006 and, following recruit training, was posted to the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment. After four years of service, he was posted to the Incident Response Regiment in early 2010, where he completed his reinforcement cycle. This was Rowan's second deployment to Afghanistan, having previously deployed on Operation Slipper in 2007.

His colleagues described him as a superb young man who was fit, happy-go-lucky, and a valued team member. Rowan was a dedicated and professional soldier whose skill belied his youth. Those who had the pleasure of knowing him were drawn to his easy-going nature, which made him popular with his peers and respected by his chain of command.

Our thoughts are with Rowan's family, friends, and mates today.

We will remember him.
Lest we forget.

RSL NSW

🇦🇺 HAPPY KING’S BIRTHDAY 🇦🇺Today, we recognise and celebrate the official birthday of His Majesty King Charles III, King...
07/06/2026

🇦🇺 HAPPY KING’S BIRTHDAY 🇦🇺

Today, we recognise and celebrate the official birthday of His Majesty King Charles III, King of Australia.

We reflect on the values of duty, service, leadership, and loyalty that have long been associated with military service to Crown and our Commonwealth, and the King’s personal commitment to youth development.

We wish all members of the Paddington RSL Sub branch and family’s and wider community a safe and enjoyable public holiday.

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220 Oxford Street, Paddington
Sydney, NSW
2021

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